The Halo Trust work to ‘make land safe, save lives and help families rebuild their lives’ in war-torn communities, with the help of some innovative geospatial technology.
Established more than 30 years ago, The HALO Trust (Hazardous Area Life-support Organization) is a British charity and American non-profit organisation specialising in the removal of debris left behind by war.
HALO operates in war-torn countries and territories around the world and now employs over 9,000 men and women – 98% of whom come from the impacted communities.
The lives of any community are quickly broken down by war in unimaginable ways. However, when the fighting moves on and news stories and media attention dwindles, communities are often left to pick up the pieces, still facing jeopardy every day.
None know this better than the 9,000 men and women who now work directly with The Halo Trust. All of whom are aware of the destructive upheaval caused by conflict, and the tireless work carried out by the team to make their community safe again.
Accuracy Is Key
Careful and exact mapping that ascertains boundaries, assists with threat assessments and clearly outlines where landmines are positioned is absolutely key to keeping those working on mine retrieval, and those that will subsequently live on the land, as safe as possible.
Once an area has been mapped and cleared, the evidence must be provided to the national authorities and to the community reclaiming their land. The technology required to complete this work can often be too expensive for charities operating on a lower budget than private companies, particularly for equipment that is easily manoeuvrable.
All of these maps are reliant on quality data captured in the field and for many years, The HALO Trust has managed adequately using basic handheld GPS systems, traditional survey methods and paper maps. However, the Trust’s Global GIS & Database Officer, Jesse Hamlin, knew that operational efficiency would be vastly improved through better technology, improved accuracy and faster field data capture.
After conversations with Trimble, Jesse approached KOREC for help sourcing technology that would provide decimetre accuracy or better, is easy to use, affordable and has all the back up required.
KOREC Group are Trimble Partners, and as mapping and land surveying specialists, were in a great position to help The Halo Trust find and clear unexploded landmines by supplying highly effective, user-friendly equipment.
Upon finding a trusted and suitable partner in KOREC, Jesse said: “Before encountering KOREC, we had not managed to find a DGPS solution that would provide the functionality we required, at the right price, and be suitable for worldwide use.”
Implementations & Results
Richard Gauchwin, Business Manager for Mapping at KOREC, personally wanted to assist The Halo Trust, recommending that the charity trials two different mapping systems – the Trimble R1 and the Trimble R2.
In both cases, Richard provided all the consultancy required to ensure that both solutions were suitable choices as well as extensive back up during the trial.
The HALO Trust was delighted with the trial, and consequently multiple R1 and R2 systems were purchased at a specially reduced rate in keeping with the Trust’s charitable status.
Jesse said of the results: “The success of our work is closely tied to the quality of the data and maps that we produce during each stage of our mine clearance projects. However, the most rewarding map of all is the one that we are able to present to the local community and national authorities at the end of the clearance project.
“This map shows precise, visual information on the areas that we have cleared and allows them to have confidence once again to safely use the land.
“Richard has been with us every step of the way, patiently assisting the organisation through a process that has ensured we have made the best choices.””
To learn more about KOREC’s collaboration with the Halo Trust as well as find out how to donate to the cause, you can read the full case study here.
